Although Splinter Cell did not premiere on the Nintendo GameCube, Ubi Soft has taken the added time to make some noticeable improvements and additions to make this version the best. Thirty minutes of computer animated cut-scenes flesh out the story line. All-new music has been recorded by the acclaimed Prague Orchestra.

The graphics engine has been overhauled and fine-tuned to take advantage of the Nintendo GameCube's abilities. The frame-rate has received a definite boost, giving everything a much smoother appearance. Splinter Cell's famous lighting and shadow effects are still present as well. Beams of lights cascade realistically over the environments and on Sam himself.

Levels have been balanced and tweaked to minimize confusion. For example, the first level used to have a wide gap that was very difficult to jump across, resulting in many a Controller being hurled in frustration. The Nintendo GameCube version has an overhead beam that can be traversed hand-over-hand, minimizing frustrating death sequences.

The interface has also been fine-tuned. Approaching doors will automatically give you a set of options without having to dig through your inventory. You can use your wire camera on any door or opt to use lock picks. Keypad codes will appear at the bottom of the screen, eliminating the need for tedious memorization.

Link up with a GBA to unlock special features, including the Sticky Bomb in the GCN. You can also unlock levels in the GBA version. For full details, click on Connectivity, above.

Bottom Line

Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell offers an undercover gaming experience like none other. The incredible attention to detail makes you feel as though you truly are an undercover agent. It doesn't matter how you decide to play the game. Just do yourself a favor and make sure that you play it.

Infiltrate terrorists' positions, acquire critical intelligence by any means necessary, execute with extreme prejudice, and exit without a trace!

You are Sam Fisher, a highly trained secret operative of the NSA's secret arm: Third Echelon. The world balance is in your hands, as cyber terrorism and international tensions are about to explode into WWIII.

Key Features

Go Behind the Headlines into the Real World of Modern Espionage: Enter the realistic Tom Clancy universe. Suit up with the latest classified field operative gear and weapons.

A New Level of Stealth Action: All the best stealth action plus all new moves. Highly interactive environments giving players more gameplay options and the ability to strategize their actions.

You have the right to spy, steal, destroy, and assassinate to ensure that American freedoms are protected. If captured, the U.S. government will disavow any knowledge of your existence.
You are Sam Fisher.
You are a Splinter Cell.

When two CIA agents mysteriously vanish in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, the NSA's secret subagency, Third Echelon, deploys Sam Fisher - its most capable Splinter Cell operative - to recover them. Fisher soon uncovers a deeper conspiracy: a plot that threatens to destabilize world order and spark nuclear conflict.

Fisher, like all Third Echelon Splinter Cells, is granted use of the Fifth Freedom - unprecedented latitude to safeguard America's security by any means necessary. Acting alone, he uses terrorists' own tactics against them. Should he fall to enemy hands, the U.S. government will disavow any knowledge of his existence.

No more time for negotiations and diplomacy. The time for decisive action has come. Strike from the darkness… Fade away. You are Sam Fisher. You are a Splinter Cell.

If you haven't heard the buzz on this title yet you've been living in a cave since E3! This game was the choice of many for Best of Show at E3 2002 and it's easy to see why.

The player takes on the role of Sam Fisher, an operative for the National Security Agency's sub agency, the Third Echelon. The Third Echelon consists of many Splinter Cells. It has the support and resources of the major U.S. intelligence agencies, but will never be recognised by the U.S. government. If any cell of Third Echelon is captured or compromised the government will disavow any knowledge of its existence and the remaining members will vanish.

Fisher is inducted into the Third Echelon with an important first mission. Two CIA agents have disappeared in T'Bilisi, Georgia after investigating communications blackouts in the area. Fisher will uncover more than a couple of corpses when he infiltrates the Georgian government and unveils a threat that will have devastating consequences for the American people.

Splinter Cell is a stealth-oriented action game set in a Tom Clancy-inspired landscape. All kinds of cool high-tech gadgets are at your disposal to help you neutralise terrorist threats. One of our favourites would have to be the 'sticky camera', a miniature camera that can be fired from your gun at a wall, allowing you to silently position instant surveillance cameras anywhere in the level.

The Unreal II engine has been utilised and enhanced to provide some stunning lighting effects that will make your jaw drop. Lighting plays a crucial part in Splinter Cell. Using a light meter to judge how visible he is to foes, Sam makes use of the shadows to covertly infiltrate enemy installations and perform his missions without alerting anyone to his existence.

Sam's state-of-the-art goggles also come equipped with night and thermal vision modes, both of which look incredible. Nothing beats the satisfaction of crouching in the dark, right beside your enemy - you can see him perfectly but he has not idea you're there. There's more than one way to complete each mission, offering a great deal of replayability. Splinter Cell is shaping up to be the game everyone will be talking about this year!

You are Am Fisher. You have the right to spy, steal, destroy, and assassinate to ensure that American freedoms are protected. If captured, the U.S. government will disavow and knowledge of your existence.

You are a Splinter Cell.

Experience the best Nintendo GameCube graphics: a world of cinematic proportions.

Infiltrate terrorists positions, acquire critical intelligence by any means necessary, execute with extreme prejudice, and extract without a trace. You are Sam Fisher, a secret field operator of the NSA and the world balance is in your hands as international tension is tighten to the breaking point.

CONSOLE GAME OF THE YEAR

now redefined for the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system!

Your name is Sam Fisher. You have the right to spy, steal, destroy, and assassinate to ensure that American freedoms are protected. If captured, the U.S. government will disavow any knowledge of your existence.

You are a Splinter Cell.

Experience revolutionaly visual effects never seen before on the PlayStation 2 System.

PlayStation 2 NEW FEATURES:

4 exclusive levels of gut-wrenching stealth action.

30 minutes of new cinematics.

New intro with original music by the Prague Orchestra.

Force enemies to cooperate or use them as human shields.

10 pulse-pounding stealth-action missions from the world of Tom Clancy.

Your name is Sam Fisher and you are the best field-operative of a secret NSA sub-agency. Sent to execute desperate missions, you're the last resort of your government. Should you be captured or killed, all knowledge of your existence will be denied.You are a Splinter Cell.

Experience revolutionaly visual effects never seen before on the PlayStation 2 System.

You are Sam Fisher. You have the right to spy, steal, destroy, and assassinate to ensure that American freedoms are protected. If captured, the U.S. government will disavow and knowledge of your existence.

You are a Splinter Cell.

Experience the best in Xbox graphics: a world of cinematic proportions.

Force enemies to cooperate or use them as human shields.

Stalk from the shadows. Strike with precision.

9 pulse-pounding stealth missions from the world of Tom Clancy.

Utilize prototype weapons and equipment.

Download new levels on Xbox Live.

Featuring music by The Crystal Method.

"Splinter Cell will change the way people look at video games."
- Electronic Gaming Monthly